ABSTRACT: •We analyze overtourism as driver for population's opposition towards mega event.•As a case study the referenda for the 2026 Olympic Games in Innsbruck was chosen.•Over-crowded tourism destinations should abstain from organizing mega events.
Project description:Information technologies today can inform each of us about the route with the shortest time, but they do not contain incentives to manage travellers such that we all get collective benefits in travel times. To that end we need travel demand estimates and target strategies to reduce the traffic volume from the congested roads during peak hours in a feasible way. During large events, the traffic inconveniences in large cities are unusually high, yet temporary, and the entire population may be more willing to adopt collective recommendations for collective benefits in traffic. In this paper, we integrate, for the first time, big data resources to estimate the impact of events on traffic and propose target strategies for collective good at the urban scale. In the context of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, we first predict the expected increase in traffic. To that end, we integrate data from mobile phones, Airbnb, Waze and transit information, with game schedules and expected attendance in each venue. Next, we evaluate different route choice scenarios for drivers during the peak hours. Finally, we gather information on the trips that contribute the most to the global congestion which could be redirected from vehicles to transit. Interestingly, we show that (i) following new route alternatives during the event with individual shortest times can save more collective travel time than keeping the routine routes used before the event, uncovering the positive value of information technologies during events; (ii) with only a small proportion of people selected from specific areas switching from driving to public transport, the collective travel time can be reduced to a great extent. Results are presented online for evaluation by the public and policymakers (www.flows-rio2016.com (last accessed 3 September 2017)).
Project description:Nearly all mass gathering events worldwide were banned at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, as they were suspected of presenting a considerable risk for the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. We investigated the risk of transmitting SARS-CoV-2 by droplets and aerosols during an experimental indoor mass gathering event under three different hygiene practices, and used the data in a simulation study to estimate the resulting burden of disease under conditions of controlled epidemics. Our results show that the mean number of measured direct contacts per visitor was nine persons and this can be reduced substantially by appropriate hygiene practices. A comparison of two versions of ventilation with different air exchange rates and different airflows found that the system which performed worst allowed a ten-fold increase in the number of individuals exposed to infectious aerosols. The overall burden of infections resulting from indoor mass gatherings depends largely on the quality of the ventilation system and the hygiene practices. Presuming an effective ventilation system, indoor mass gathering events with suitable hygiene practices have a very small, if any, effect on epidemic spread.
Project description:IntroductionOutdoor smoke-free policies (SFPs) at sports clubs may contribute to the prevention of smoking among adolescents. Adolescents' support for such policy is important to its success. The aim of this study is to explore adolescents' perceptions with regard to an outdoor SFP at sports clubs in the Netherlands.MethodsFocus group discussions (n=27) were held with 180 participants (aged 13-18 years) at 16 sports clubs. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data.ResultsParticipants generally supported an outdoor SFP at sports clubs. Five reasons for this support were reported: 1) children should not be exposed to smoking, 2) smoking and sports (clubs) do not fit together, 3) secondhand smoke is undesirable, 4) an outdoor SFP may enhance a sports club's image, and 5) an outdoor SFP contributes to the prevention of smoking. Some participants voiced considerations against an outdoor SFP, arguing amongst others, that smokers need to be taken into account, and that problems may occur with compliance and enforcement. Support for an outdoor SFP was stronger among participants at clubs with an outdoor SFP than among those without such policy.ConclusionsThis study shows that adolescents generally support an outdoor smoke-free policy at sports clubs. After implementation, the outdoor SFP was generally experienced as a normal practice. These results could encourage sports clubs without an outdoor SFP to become smoke-free as well.
Project description:The prognosis for hyper-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterolemic patients has not been fully elucidated. We conducted a post hoc analysis of MEGA study data to investigate prospectively the incidence of cardiovascular events and cancer in hyper-HDL cholesterolemic patients.A total of 7832 patients with mild hypercholesterolemia were randomly allocated to either the National Cholesterol Education Program step 1 diet alone (n?=?3966) or the diet plus pravastatin (n?=?3866) and followed for 5 years. The incidences of coronary heart disease (CHD), CHD plus cerebral infarction (CI), cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer were calculated using the Cox proportional hazards model according to the level of HDL cholesterol (HDL-C).CHD incidence was lower in patients with HDL-C >60-90 mg/dL (-52%, p = 0.0018) and HDL-C > 90 mg/dL (-46%, p = 0.4007) than in patients with HDL-C ? 60 mg/dL. The incidences of CHD, CHD plus CI, and CVD were significantly lower in patients with HDL-C >60-90 mg/dL than in those with HDL-C ? 60 mg/dL in both diet-alone and diet-plus-pravastatin groups. Cancer incidence was not increased in patients with HDL-C >60-90 mg/dL.Patients not receiving statin therapy should aim for a target HDL-C of between 60 and 90 mg/dL to achieve a significant reduction in CHD without the occurrence of adverse events.Clinical trials.gov NCT00211705.
Project description:The Annonaceae, the largest family in the early-divergent order Magnoliales, comprises 107 genera and c. 2,400 species. Previous molecular phylogenetic studies targeting different taxa have generated large quantities of partially overlapping DNA sequence data for many species, although a large-scale phylogeny based on the maximum number of representatives has never been reconstructed. We use a supermatrix of eight chloroplast markers (rbcL, matK, ndhF, psbA-trnH, trnL-F, atpB-rbcL, trnS-G and ycf1) to reconstruct the most comprehensive tree to date, including 705 species (29%) from 105 genera (98%). This provides novel insights into the relationships of five enigmatic genera (Bocagea, Boutiquea, Cardiopetalum, Duckeanthus and Phoenicanthus). Fifteen main clades are retrieved in subfamilies Annonoideae and Malmeoideae collectively, 14 of which correspond with currently recognised tribes. Phoenicanthus cannot be accommodated in any existing tribe, however: it is retrieved as sister to a clade comprising the tribes Dendrokingstonieae, Monocarpieae and Miliuseae, and we therefore validate a new tribe, Phoenicantheae. Our results provide strong support for many previously recognised groups, but also indicate non-monophyly of several genera (Desmopsis, Friesodielsia, Klarobelia, Oxandra, Piptostigma and Stenanona). The relationships of these non-monophyletic genera-and two other genera (Froesiodendron and Melodorum) not yet sampled-are discussed, with recommendations for future research.
Project description:PurposeThis meta-epidemiological study aimed to systematically review case reports regarding sports nutrition supplements and adverse events (AEs), specifically addressing the issue of causality assessments.MethodsThrough a systematic literature search we identified all published case reports of AEs associated with sports nutrition supplements between 1 January 2008 and 1 March 2019. Data regarding AEs, suspected supplements, relevant causality assessment factors and the reporting of clinical reasoning and/or systematic causality assessment methods were extracted.ResultsIn all, 72 publications were included, reporting 134 supplements and 37 different AEs in 97 patients (85% males; median age: 30 years [range: 14-60]). Information regarding previous health and regular prescription drugs was not presented in 30% (29/97) and 46% (45/97) of cases, respectively. In 23% (22/97) of the cases, no alternative cause was mentioned. Clinical reasoning was identified in 63% (61/97), and in 13% (8/61) of these, a systematic causality assessment method was applied. In cases with clinical reasoning, a theoretic rationale (92% vs 78%, P = 0.05), a description of previous cases (90% vs 72%, P = 0.021) and body fluid analysis (18% vs 3%, P = 0.027) were reported to a greater extent. Among cases with clinical reasoning, the application of a systematic causality assessment method captured additional important aspects: use of medication (100% vs 55%, P = 0.015), alcohol use (88% vs 43%, P = 0.020) and illicit drug use (88% vs 40%, P = 0.011).ConclusionsIn published case reports where sports nutrition supplements were suspected to have caused AEs, essential factors for causality assessment were left out in a non-negligible proportion. Clinical reasoning was identified in most cases whereas a systematic causality assessment method was applied in a minority. Factors of importance for causality assessment were reported to a greater extent in cases including clinical reasoning, and the application of a systematic causality assessment method captured additional aspects of importance.
Project description:Many women going through the menopausal transition experience vasomotor symptoms (VMS), and research has shown that there is a large amount of variation in their frequency and severity. Many lifestyle factors have been found to co-vary with VMS, including the level of social support received by the woman, and how stressed she is. Stress is well documented to worsen menopause symptoms, and there is some evidence that support eases them; however, there is little research into whether support is an effective buffer against the negative effects of stress on VMS. Using nine years of data from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (n = 2718), we use multilevel Poisson regression with random effects to test: 1) if more social support is associated with decreased VMS frequency, 2) if increased life stress worsens VMS, and 3) if support acts as a buffer against stress. After adjusting for age, marital status, smoking, self-perceived overall health, ethnicity, and menopausal status, we find that stress increases the frequency of VMS. Contrary to our hypothesis, we did not find strong evidence that emotional support led to lower VMS frequency, or that support buffers against the effects of stress. Experience of a stressful event, but not amount of social support, was included in the best fitting model; with the degree to which the woman was upset by the life stressor having the largest effect on menopause symptoms. Here, women who said they were currently upset by a stressful event experienced 21% more VMS than women who had experienced no life stressor. This research highlights that social factors may impact the menopausal transition.
Project description:The hippocampus is thought to contribute to episodic memory in part by binding stimuli to their spatiotemporal context. The present study examined how hippocampal neuronal populations encode spatial and temporal context as rats performed a task in which they were required to remember the order of trial-unique sequences of odors. The results suggest that a gradual change in the pattern of hippocampal activity served as a temporal context for odor-sampling events and was important for successful subsequent memory of the order of those odors.
Project description:INTRODUCTION:Sports participation in children with hemophilia is generally considered to be associated with increased injury risk, which is generally considered highest in severe hemophilia. AIM:To assess sports participation according to age and severity in children with hemophilia and its association with sports injuries. METHODS:In a retrospective single-center study, sports participation, injuries, and bleeding data from three consecutive annual clinic visits were collected for young patients with hemophilia (PWH, aged 6-18). Sports in categories 2.5 and 3 of 3 according to the National Hemophilia Foundation classification were considered high-risk. Groups were compared using chi-square testing. RESULTS:105 PWH (median age: 13(IQR 10-14); 53% severe; bleeding rate: 1/y) were identified; three were unable to perform sports and were excluded. The majority of PWH (77%) played sports weekly, of which 80% high-risk sports. Sports participation (median 3.0x/wk), and the proportion of injured PWH was similar in severe (42%) and non-severe (33%) PWH. Sports injuries were rare (65% no injuries in 3 years, median 0/y (IQR 0-1)). Annually, PWH did not report more injuries (15%) than age-matched boys (28%). Sports injuries were not associated with frequency and type of sports. DISCUSSION:This retrospective study showed high sports participation (including high-risk sports) and low injury rates. Sports participation was similar across severities and injury rates were not higher than among the general population. Injuries were not associated with frequency or type of sports. A prospective study with objective assessment of sports participation and injuries is warranted to confirm these findings and avoid recall bias.